Visible index



April 28, 193.1 .1. J. MACFADDEN 1,802,348

VISIBLE INDEX Filed May '7, 1925 WESTE RNS amv-Hf, GE

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Patented Apr. 2.8, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE JOHN J. MACFAVDDEN, F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF

ONE-HALF TO REMINGTON RAND INC.,

DELAWARE Application led May 7,

rIhis invention relates to visible indexes of the type having overlapping elements with their margins exposed and more particularly to an index adapted to follow the. course of '.5 orders for different products to different customers. One concrete embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front view of the index; Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section of one of the index elements on a larger scale; and Fig. 3 is a front view of one of the index elements on a smaller scale.

The particular embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration comprises the frame l'having a series of index elements 2 mounted in the frame 1 in overlapping relationship. Each element comprises a back 3, a rail 4 hinged to the back 3 and having projecting ends 5 adapted to extend into channels at opposite edges of the frame 1. The rail 4 is flexible so kthat the. ends 5 may be inserted into the frame by bowing the rail 4. Y At the bottom of each index element is a transparent sheath 6 which has a portion 7 extending upwardly along the rear side of the back 3 and a portion Sextending outwardly and upwardly in front of the back 3. The upper end of portion 8 is vturned inwardly'at 9 to form a rounded or beaded finish. This sheath is preferably formed of transparent sheet Celluloid and is preferably secured to the back 3 by staples 10. ignals 13, which may be formed of celluloid of diii'erent colors, are. mounted on the sheath 6 as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. These signals may be inserted, removed or adjusted lengthwise of the sheaths at will. Index sheets 11 are provided with recesses 12 to accommodate the staples 10V wheninserted into the sheaths as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. These sheets may carry markings or designations of dierent kinds depending upon the use for which the device is intended and the margins of the sheets are each provided with a row of markings so distributed that the markings form columns or rows transversely of the margins (vertical rows in the illustration) when the sheets are positioned in the series of sheaths. In Fig. 1

ving records of bookingsv for photoplays in a OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F VISIBLE INDEX 1925. seriai No. 28,571.

the markings comprise the vertical lines 15 dividing the margin into a plurality of sections, which in the present showing contain a series 'of numbers 16. In the illustration, index indicia comprising the name of a town and theatre is also placed at the left-hand end of each horizontal row' of sections.

In addition to the index sheets above re- 'erred to a designating index element is provided at one or both ends of the vertical rows of markings above referred to. In Fig. 1 two such elements are shown, one at the top of the rows and one at the bottom. The element at the top of the vertical rows of markings comprises a card 17 pivoted to a rail 18 corresponding to rail 4 in Figs. 2 and 3. The lower margin of this card is divided into a plurality of index sections containing names, which in the illustrated embodiment are motion picture titles. These index sections are arranged in alignment with the aforesaid vertical rows of sections extending transversely of the margins of the index elements 2 and associated with each name is a number corresponding to thevnumbers with which it aligns. A corresponding index element 19 is provided at the bottom of the vertical rows of sections, the index sections on the element 19 corresponding to the index Vsections on the element 17. As illustrated the element 19 is in the form of an insert in an index holder such asillustrated in Figs. 2 and3. n

, A typical use of this invention is in keepdistributing oilice. For such use the names of the theatres on the inserts 11 represent customers of the distributing house and the names Yon the elements 17 and 19 represent the photoplays or other motion picture productions available for distribution. The movable signals 13 give various indications relative to the distribution of the available productions. For example, a green signal over number 3 in the horizontal row to the right or"Melvern, Kans., Gein Theatre-may indicate that this theatre is being solicited Ato engage the motion picture entitled News, and an orange signal over 4 in the second horizontal row of markings may indi- 1G cate the Delphous Theatre in Mound City, Mo., has engaged the motion picture entitled 7esterns. By using signals of other colors or of different shapes further information may be conveyed at a glance. For more detailed information the overlying indexes may be swung upwardly to display any particular insert 11.

In addition to the index sheets 11 having the marginal rows of numbers and names of theatres further index sheets designated run situation cards may be employed. For example, where there are several theatres in the same city or town a run situation card common to these several theatres may be inserted in the holder 2 next preceding the holders containingl sheets 11 for the respective theatres in the particular city. Thus in Fig. 1 a run situation card for St. Joseph, Mo., is shown next preceding the cards for the respective theatres in St. Joseph. The run situation card may, for example, show the possible number of runs, both minimum and maximum; also possible first, second and third runs. The best combination of pictures to sell may also be indicated on this card.

I claim 1. A visible index comprising a frame, a series of index elements mounted in the 'trame to swing into overlapping relationship with corresponding margins exposed, said margins being marked to form series of markings extending longitudinally and transversely of said margins, a name opposite each longitudinal series of markings, a designating index element mounted to swing over the uppermost of said elements and another such element under the lowermost of said. elements, said designating elements having simultaneously visible names respectively aligned with said transverse series of markings.

2. A visible index or tile comprising a panel, a series of holder cards, means detachably and hingedly connecting said holder cards to said panel for supporting said cards in overlapped spaced relation with their free margins projecting one beyond another, a transparent sheath on the free margin of each holder card, an index element hingedly connected to said panel adjacent said holder cards, the margin of same being divided transversely into a plurality of appropriately designated index sections, record cards removably carried by said holder cards, each having a marginal portion retained in the sheath of one of said holder cards in visible relation. said record cards having the marginal portion of each divided transversely into a plurality of sections aligned with said index sections on said index clement, a signal slidn ably engaged in each of said sheaths cooperating with said sections and said index sections, and index indicia on each of said record cards separate from said index sections.

3. A visible index or file comprising a panel, a series of holder cards, means detachably and hingcdly connecting said holder cards to said panel for supporting said cards in overlapped spaced relation with their free margins projecting one beyond another, a transparent sheath on the free margin of each holder card, an index element hingediy connected to said panel adjacent said holder cards, the margin of same being divided transversely into a plurality of appropriately designated index sections, record cards removably carried by said holder cards, each having a marginal portion retained in the sheath of one ot said holder cards in visible relation, said record cards having the marginal portion of each divided transversely into a plurality of sections aligned with said index sections on said index element, and index indicia on each of said record cards separate from said index sections.

4;. A visible index or tile comprising a panel, a series of holder cards, means detachably and hingedly connecting said holder cards to said panel for supporting said cards in overlapped spaced relation with their free margins projecting one beyond another, a transparent sheath on the free margin ot each 1nolder card, an index element hingedly connected to said panel adjacent said holder cards, the margin of same being divided transversely into a. plurality of appropriate] y designed index sections, and record cards removably carried by said holder cards, each having a marginal portion retained in the sheath of one of said holder cards in visible relation, said record cards having the marginal portion of each divided transversely into a plurality of sections aligned with said index sections on said index element for in-v dexing cooperation therewith.

Signed by me at Cleveland, Ohio, this 10th day of March, 1925.

J OHN J. MACFADDEN. 

